Diplomacy and International Relations
MA, PGDip, PGCert

Modules

• History, Theory, and Practice of Diplomacy Core

History, Theory, and Practice of Diplomacy (Core)

Students on this module will consider the value of historical perspectives for the theory and practice of diplomacy. After an introduction to the field of diplomatic history and its relationship to theoretical approaches to the subject, students will then study the key organs involved in the practise of diplomacy, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Embassy. Students will also look at current (“Track 2”) diplomacy, from public diplomacy to unconventional diplomacy such as “guerrilla” diplomacy and Cyberpolitik.

Credits: 20

• International Relations Theory Core

International Relations Theory (Core)

International Relations theory is crucial to the way we understand global politics and the international system. While International Relations traditionally refers to relationships between states within an international system this module seeks to explore different theoretical understandings of international order at the level of the international system, states and the individual. The module examines some of the most significant theories of international relations and seeks to apply these in real-world contexts.

Credits: 20

• Human Rights and Migration Core

Human Rights and Migration (Core)

Justice systems at a national, international and transnational level exist to mediate rights for individuals and groups. In an age of migration, border control, trafficking and governance of migration are emerging themes in criminology. What are the limitations of the sovereign state? What are the limitations of international legal instruments to protect human rights? How can security be achieved for all? Building on these questions, students will critically examine the governance of migration and how European states deal with problems of law, order and inclusion. The study of human rights institutions, processes and practices will enable students to address current dilemmas associated with migration such as state sovereignty, security, inclusion, inequality and citizenship.

• Security Studies Core

Security Studies (Core)

This course examines enduring and contemporary questions of security and insecurity in the international system.

Security has traditionally been defined in terms of strategic state politics and the use of military force to counter external military threats. The end of the Cold War and the ensuing conflicts of the late-20th century raised questions about the continued relevance of traditional theories of security. New security threats have been defined both in the academic literature and by state security strategies.

This course critically evaluates these developments using IR and security studies theories, supplemented by practical case-studies. Students investigate the definition of the term security and threats to security, questions about the referent object of security, the root causes of insecurity and the methods of eliminating or lessening such threats.

The course evaluates traditional and contemporary security concepts such as national security, conventional weapons systems, nuclear non-proliferation, human security, responsibility to protect, the poverty-security nexus in a post-Westphalian context.

It also analyses whether security is best achieved through traditional ‘hard power’ or through the promotion of ‘soft power’ including development, good governance, and a Human Rights values agenda, and the place of ‘smart’ power.

Credits: 20

• Global Governance Core

Global Governance (Core)

This course investigates cooperation and discord in international organisation. While evaluating theoretical debates and examining a selection of inter-governmental organisation, the focus is on broader questions of how the global system is organised, and whether there can ever be international consensus on ‘values’ and approaches to issues such as Human Rights given differing national interests and different cultural backgrounds (for example within the UN system).

Students interrogate the role that power and coercion play, the inequalities and marginalisation in the international system, the nature and role of non-state actors, and the content of the global political agenda.

The course critically evaluates different forms of governance from grassroots to regional governance, from global multilateral negotiations to economic crisis management. Questions about the continuity and change of global governance are addressed both holistically and in the case of specific institutions.

Credits: 20

• Researching Diplomacy, International Relations, and Development Management Techniques Core

Researching Diplomacy, International Relations, and Development Management Techniques (Core)

Engages students with key research methods and research practices used in the social sciences, with an emphasis on qualitative methods. Students will learn skills that translate directly into the workplace, specifically in an international NGO, charity, corporate, intergovernmental or development agency context. Students are prepared to undertake fieldwork, and learn principles of data collection and analysis. Writing research proposals, undertaking project costing, and writing funding applications are all addressed, and students are introduced to widely used approaches such as the Logical Framework Analysis/Approach, Stakeholder Analysis, and Participatory Approaches.

Credits: 20

• Dissertation Core Option

Dissertation (Core Option)

Aided by appropriate tutorial support, this module aims to provide you with the experience of a small scale investigation and to report on the rationale, research design, investigative processes and findings in the writing of a conventional dissertation.

Credits: 60

• Dissertation with Professional Connection Core Option

Dissertation with Professional Connection (Core Option)

Module description coming soon.

Credits: 60